Frost dates for 23291 — Richmond, VA
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Richmond compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richmond falls between March 19 and April 18, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 74 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Richmond, VA
Frost dates for 23291 — Richmond, VA — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richmond, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Richmond Intl Ap, VA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 164 ft (50 m)).
ZIP codes in Richmond: 23173 23218 23219 23220 23221 23222 23223 23224 23225 23226 23227 23230 23232 23234 23235 23236 23237 23241 23249 23250 23260 23261 23269 23274 23276 23278 23279 23282 23284 23285 23286 23289 23290 23291 23292 23293 23295 23297 23298
Frost dates near Richmond
- Henrico Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Glen Allen Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Midlothian Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Sandston Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Mechanicsville Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Chesterfield Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Chester Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Manakin Sabot Apr 17 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richmond, VA?
The median last spring frost in Richmond, VA is April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Richmond, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Richmond, VA?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richmond, VA?
Richmond, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.